FEBRUARY 08, 2003, 2003 Texas & New Jersey
4,292 pounds of marijuana seized from rail cars in two different states
4,292 pounds of marijuana seized from rail cars in two different states
What began at Eagle Pass last month as a drug seizure, made by
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, has resulted in
several arrests and a seizure of a bank account in New Jersey on
March 05, 2003, by special agents assigned to the Bureau of
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (BICE).
On February 8, 2003, Customs and Border Protection officers
searched a rail car that entered the U.S. from Mexico at Eagle Pass,
Texas. Gamma ray scanning of the boxcar revealed what appeared
to be secret compartments at both ends of the rail car. CBP
Inspectors and BICE Special Agents inspected the rail car and
discovered 2,551 pounds of marijuana concealed inside the false
compartments built into the rail car.
Further investigation by the Special Agents identified another rail
car, which had crossed into the United States in transit to New
Jersey. Special Agents in Newark, New Jersey, intercepted the rail
car headed their way and upon inspection discovered 1,741 pounds
of marijuana concealed in secret compartments.
Special Agents in Newark arrested three men allegedly associated
with the conspiracy of smuggling the marijuana. The men are
identified as Fernando Tapia-Albet, age 53, who has lived illegally in
the United States for 22 years in Manhattan, NY; Adolfo Lopez-
Nunez, age 35, a legal resident of the U.S. who claimed to be a
farmer from California, was arrested in Secaucus, New Jersey; and
Antonio Lopez-Abrijan, age 46, an illegal alien who claimed to be a
laborer.
Special Agents continued their investigation and seized $20,800
comprising a bank account in New Jersey.
“The seizures and arrests clearly demonstrate the excellent inter-
regional enforcement efforts and the value of technology available
to law enforcement. It also reflects the seamless coordination
between inspectors and special agents,” said John Varrone, Special
Agent in Charge in Newark, NJ for the BICE.
The estimated U.S. street value of the marihuana could be up to
$4.2 million.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, has resulted in
several arrests and a seizure of a bank account in New Jersey on
March 05, 2003, by special agents assigned to the Bureau of
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (BICE).
On February 8, 2003, Customs and Border Protection officers
searched a rail car that entered the U.S. from Mexico at Eagle Pass,
Texas. Gamma ray scanning of the boxcar revealed what appeared
to be secret compartments at both ends of the rail car. CBP
Inspectors and BICE Special Agents inspected the rail car and
discovered 2,551 pounds of marijuana concealed inside the false
compartments built into the rail car.
Further investigation by the Special Agents identified another rail
car, which had crossed into the United States in transit to New
Jersey. Special Agents in Newark, New Jersey, intercepted the rail
car headed their way and upon inspection discovered 1,741 pounds
of marijuana concealed in secret compartments.
Special Agents in Newark arrested three men allegedly associated
with the conspiracy of smuggling the marijuana. The men are
identified as Fernando Tapia-Albet, age 53, who has lived illegally in
the United States for 22 years in Manhattan, NY; Adolfo Lopez-
Nunez, age 35, a legal resident of the U.S. who claimed to be a
farmer from California, was arrested in Secaucus, New Jersey; and
Antonio Lopez-Abrijan, age 46, an illegal alien who claimed to be a
laborer.
Special Agents continued their investigation and seized $20,800
comprising a bank account in New Jersey.
“The seizures and arrests clearly demonstrate the excellent inter-
regional enforcement efforts and the value of technology available
to law enforcement. It also reflects the seamless coordination
between inspectors and special agents,” said John Varrone, Special
Agent in Charge in Newark, NJ for the BICE.
The estimated U.S. street value of the marihuana could be up to
$4.2 million.
Source: ICE
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NARCOTIC NEWS
Marijuana News Archive 2003
Marijuana News Archive 2003